Introduction

According to the latest ILO estimates for 2019, globally, nearly 3 million people die of work-related accidents and diseases, an increase of more than 5 per cent compared to 2015.

Most of these work-related fatalities, totalling 2.6 million deaths, stem from work-related diseases. The Asia and the Pacific region has the highest work-related mortality (63 per cent of the global total) because of the size of the region’s workforce.

Taking a detailed look at the attributable occupational risk factors and their health and safety outcomes for workers, psychosocial elements is emerging.

ILO, jointly with World Health Organization (WHO), estimated that the exposure to long working hours linked to approximately 750,000 deaths in 2016 at the global level.

WHO further estimates that 12 billion working days are lost every year due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy nearly one trillion US Dollars. While the available data on mental health at work is limited in the region, according to the survey conducted by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, in 2023, of the 720,000 working age population surveyed, 13.8 per cent felt high-level of stress and 16.1 per cent faced the risk of depression.

This demonstrates, together with the fact that an increasing number of working age individuals seek services for stress, anxiety and unhappiness at work to mental health hotline in Thailand, the seriousness of the issue and an urgent need to take preventive actions.

Aiming to ensure and promote safe and healthy working environment, both physically and mentally, for all workers, this project funded by the Japanese government under the global ILO’s flagship programme Safety + Health for All, will address emerging risks, in particular, mental health at work in Thailand and Cambodia.

The project strategy is articulated around three objectives –
• Consolidate knowledge and raise awareness on the promotion of safe and healthy working environment at the sub-regional level
• Support continuous improvement of national occupational and safety systems in Thailand and Cambodia
• Support workplace level actions through enhanced capacity of workers and employers and strengthened workplace cooperation in Thailand and Cambodia

Reporting lines

The incumbent will report to the Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (CO-Bangkok), and cooperate closely with the National Coordinator in Cambodia.

The incumbent will work directly with the Chief Technical Adviser of the ILO-Japan and will receive technical backstopping from the Senior Specialist on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), Workers’ Activities Specialist, Employers’ Activities Specialist, and other relevant technical areas located in the Decent Work Team (DWT)-Bangkok and also the Technical Unit on OSH in HQ/Geneva including programmatic support from a Programme and Operations Officer based in ROAP.

Description of Duties

In close collaboration with concerned ILO constituents and other stakeholders in Cambodia, the NPC will take the overall responsibility for designing, implementing and reporting of project activities in Cambodia; ensuring quality technical inputs; and compilation of project experiences and lessons learned.

The NPC will also act as the Focal Point in Cambodia on the subject matter covered by the project and will work in close coordination and collaboration with other ILO programmes and projects in the country.

The NPC will undertake the following duties:

1. Be responsible for the implementation of activities in Cambodia in accordance with the work plan with a view to ensuring timely delivery of project activities and outputs.

2.

Identify problems and propose solutions in consultation with the country office, decent work team, regional office, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.

3. Identify and initiate engagement with related government and non-government organizations, national partners and beneficiaries and work closely with them on project implementation, ensuring effective coordination.

4.

Review and analyse country specific development plans and priorities, data, reports and other relevant information, identify potential technical areas and provide written analysis of the findings.

5.

Prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action.

6. Prepare briefs, progress reports, financial reports, ad-hoc reports and statistical data on status of project activities, including in the context of the Global Flagship Programme Safety + Health for All.

7.

Plan, organize and facilitate trainings, workshops, seminars and meetings, for partners and beneficiaries and prepare presentations for national and regional workshops and seminars.

8.

Compile systematic information and materials on project activities. Identify best practices and lessons learnt for knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

9. Support the development of various social marketing and awareness raising activities of the project.

10. Perform other relevant duties as may be assigned by the supervisor(s).

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in social sciences, development studies, public health, or related field.

Languages

Excellent written and spoken command of English and Khmer.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience at the national level in project management, supervision, administration and implementation.

Experience working on decent work-related issues, including occupational safety and health.

Knowledge of the UN system is an asset.

Competencies

• Good knowledge of policies and guidelines regarding labour issues in Cambodia in particular as they relate to safety and health at work.
• Experience with the formulation and implementation of projects and ability to interpret project information.
• Ability to draft clearly and concisely, and prepare project proposals, reports and studies as well as communication skills with the ability to conceptualize in English and Khmer.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to carry out assignments in accordance with instructions and guidelines.
• Ability to supervise staff and guide national counterparts.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.

• Ability to interact and maintain effective working relationships with ILO constituents, UN agencies, international organizations, and relevant key stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes.